Greens block private health rebate cuts for over-65s
The Greens will not support government plans to cut private health rebates for people over 65 unless changes are made.
The federal government's plan to wind back private health rebates for over-65s is facing collapse after the Greens refused to back it in its current form. The proposal would save about $3 billion for aged care by cutting rebates for older Australians.
New figures show that of the more than 3.2 million people affected, about two million earn less than $37,000 a year. The government needs Greens votes to pass the bill in the Senate, as the Coalition has already vowed to block it.
Greens health spokesman Jordon Steele-John said the party is exploring amendments, including exempting pensioners from the cuts, because healthcare costs are already pushing people away from doctors.
- $3 billion
- Projected aged care savings
- 3.2 million plus
- Australians affected
- $37,000 per year
- Affected earning under
- $1.6 billion
- Clawed back from pensioners
Why it mattersIf the bill fails, the government loses $3 billion it had promised for aged care. If it passes unchanged, millions of low-income older Australians will pay more for health cover.
AustraliaAustralians over 65 and on low income could face higher health insurance costs or lose cover entirely, depending on whether the Greens win concessions. Aged care expansion depends on this bill passing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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